Thursday, July 28, 2016

Summer Fleur - Photography by M.L.Holton

At the height of summer, operatic drama seems to overtake the persistent push of vegetation.  It can be overwhelming at times, even claustrophobic with all that smothering overgrowth ... (Horatio bellows: "Virginia creepers BE DAMNED!")  And yet, in the midst of it all, extraordinary colour plumes and exquisite delicate petals hold ground.

Hibiscus Supremus - Photo by m.l.holton

Queen Anne Lattice - Photo by m.l.holton

Hard Knocks Hibiscus - Photo by m.l.holton

Queen Anne in-Waiting - Photo by m.l.holton

Horatio Hibiscus - by m.l.holton

Demure & Potent - Photo by m.l.holton

Healthy Hibiscus - Photo by m.l.holton

Play Ground - Photo by m.l.holton





Tuesday, July 19, 2016

MLH on 'Art Jury Duty' for Inaugural 2016 'Art-in-the-Park', Country Heritage Museum in Milton, Ontario, Canada



Back roads, North Halton County - by m.l.holton
Very pleased that I can now announce completion of one intense day of art jury duty earlier this month with two esteemed colleagues, (from the Dufferin County Museum & the Ontario Crafts Council Board), for the inaugural 'Art-in-the-Park' exhibit at the incomparable Country Heritage Park in Milton, (formerly known as the Ontario Agricultural Museum), for August 21st, 2016.

There were a number of outstanding entries from both local and provincial artists for us to consider. As jurors, our goal was to aim for a good cross-section of works - and disciplines - that best reflect the strong abstract & realist trends in contemporary art and craft practices. We're sure the public will enjoy the chosen 35 exhibitors work very much. Details about the showing artists can be found - here. 

The Show & Sale will run from 10am-5pm, 
on August 21st, 2016, at the Country Heritage Park. 
Enjoy!


MAP: 
 Country Heritage Park
(formerly Ontario Agricultural Museum)
8560 Tremaine Road, Milton
Ontario L9T 2Y3
If you GPS Country Heritage Park, please use Postal Code L9T 2X3

Admission Per person - $10* (Children Under 12 - FREE)

Be sure to CHECK the website for Days OPEN. 

Heritage building, Country Heritage Park, Milton - by m.l.holton

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The FROZEN GOOSE - TeaserTrailer 2 -with PRE-ORDER Link

Releasing SEPTEMBER, 2016. 
Pre-Order your Home-Use DVD Today! 

M.L.Holton in 21st Art-in-the-Workplace Exhibit at MIP

Woohoo! - Thrilled to be included in the 21st Art-in-the Workplace Art Exhibit in the wonderful atrium at McMaster Innovation Park!  I'm 'in' with a new work from this year, 'FROZEN LAKE II'. (With a 'tip-hat tribute' to my filmmaking efforts from earlier in the year on my short indie film, 'The FROZEN GOOSE'  - phew, DONE!!!)

This acrylic work below is now framed in a silver-tinted wooden frame. (Looks very sharp if I say so myself!)  If interested in purchase, please contact me directly for final framed size, and price. (Email contact is on the right of this post at the top of blog page.)Thanks.

The 21st Exhibit Grand Opening will be held on August 4, 2016. - 7-9pm
The art will remain on display until November 2nd, 2016. - Come SEE!

Frozen Lake 2 - Acrylic on board, by M.L.Holton






Easy access via 403 and/or QEW link-in. Southern Ontario, Canada.




Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Instant Bliss - by Margaret Lindsay Holton

Instant Bliss by MLH - acrylic on canvas
Sorry, not the best photo repro ... This item is 5 feet wide, 30" high, (I lost the light on the right.) Overall though, it should give you a  good sense of that moment when you just LOOK UP through cherry tree limbs to find INSTANT BLISS. -- Yes, SPRING is finally here. Contact artist for better photos (!)- and/or purchase particulars. - See you on the outside peeps! It's glorious out there. - mlh

Monday, May 30, 2016

Paint Poem to Lola Donoghue

Periodically I come across a painter whose work, for a variety of emotional and intellectual reasons, appeals a great deal to me. One such is a contemporary Irish painter, Lola Donoghue. I find her work to be equally titillating, nuanced and evocative. Subtle palettes are suddenly punched with boldness, suggestive shapes work magic in the imagination and the seeming simplicity cleverly masquerades a medley of masks ...

I've painted one of my 'Paint Poems', in gratitude, for the inspiration - and skill - she shares. The two images below show, first, her 'Flamingo': the inspiration for my work, then mine - an mlh Paint Poem Tribute.

Kindly note, my aim is never to slavishly 'copy' another artist's work. Rather, I prefer to 'explore' painterly processes within their preferred palettes. I find it very instructive, rewarding and, as mentioned, inspiring ...  ----  Lola - I just LOVE your work! Thank you.

Flamingo by Lola Donoghue - Prints available via Lola's link above. 






'Paint Poem to Lola Donoghue, 2016' - with gratitude, mlh


Thursday, May 5, 2016

ARTWORKS OAKVILLE - Annual Juried Show

Thrilled to be included in the 16th Annual Juried Show for Artworks Oakville. 
77 items entries were submitted, 39 were chosen by the judges. I'm IN.. - Honored!!

Opening Reception: 
Thursday, May 26th
7-9pm 
At the Queen Elizabeth Park Community Cultural Centre
23012 Bridge Road, Oakville  (map below) 

SEE YOU THERE!


Hours of the QE Cultural Centre: 
Mon-Thurs, 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Fri, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sat and Sun, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

 23012 Bridge Road, Oakville 
Easy access via the QEW from Toronto or Hamilton/Buffalo 

UPDATE:
 Great & Busy Reception - plenty of old, young and new faces! 
(also delighted to meet the very talented portait painter, Martha Southwell)
Lower Right: Geoffrey Nawn, Juror takes in my painting
'Woodland Deer' - a crowd favourite. :) 
 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

WAAH 120th Annual Juried Art Show @ AGH


Thrilled to be included in the 120th Annual Juried Art Show by the Women's Art Association of Hamilton, showing at the Art Gallery of Hamilton during May and June, 2016. This energetic women's association has been active since the late 1800's, providing a head space & physical place for women to engage with, and expound upon, the arts.

A solid hundred years later, it continues to exercise it's primary mandate of 'exposure' to the art field. Many talented Southern Ontario female artists received their initial 'recognition' here. Senior members coax & coach them into greater public exposure. A diverse, wide-ranging and inclusive aesthetic envelops all with a hearty 'welcome'. Seasoned judges preside over the Annual Juried Shows encouraging greater exploration, experimentation and finer execution.

 Come see what the women are up to now!! 

The aims of the Women's Art Association of Hamilton are to:

  • Create a general interest in art
  • Establishing art scholarships
  • Hold lectures and seminars
  • Hold exhibitions of paintings, designs and sculpture
  • Developing art and handicrafts of Canada.

The Women's Art Association of Hamilton's  
120th Juried Art Exhibition 
Opening RECEPTION - JOIN US!
- Sunday, May 1st, 2-5pm. 
 (Closes June 25th, 2016.)

***My final painting from last year - a 'naive-surreal-folk-abstract' beaut -
 'Doe at Dawn' has been accepted. Come SEE it!***

ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON
Womens Art Assoc.of Hamilton

123 King Street West | Hamilton ON | L8P 4S8
T: 905-527-6610 | F: 905-577-6940


Regular Gallery Hours:
Day
Hours
Tuesday 

11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 

11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday 

11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday* 

11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 

12:00 noon - 5:00 pm
Sunday 

12:00 noon - 5:00 pm
Monday 

Closed (open select holidays)
Select Holidays:
The AGH is open on select holidays, including Family Day (ON, AB, SK), March Break, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, August Civic Holiday, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving Day. Holiday Hours are from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm.

*Friday Free Night:
The Gallery and the Shop at AGH is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on the first Friday of each month. Free admission to GALLERY LEVEL ONE exhibitions will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. +learn more

AGH Members receive FREE admission.
Non-Members Fee
 Adults    $10
 Students/Seniors    $8
 Children (6 – 17)    $4
 Under 5 years    FREE
 Family (2 adults and up to 4 children)    $25
(Prices include tax.)

UPDATE: Great Opening Reception, good to catch up with Bryce Kanbara, one of the jurors. 
He kindly said mine, 'Doe at Dawn',  was one of his favs in the show.

Bryce Kanbara, owner of You Me Gallery, one of three jurors of 120th show, with yours truly.

UPDATE: The Hamilton Spectator reviews the show

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Dear Queen - #HappyBirthdayYourMajesty

I defy anyone not to be in awe of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, longest reigning monarch in British history. She has certainly done her DUTY - and then some. With surreal highs and lows, continued familial controversy and even hatred, this amazing woman has managed to weather the storms - and carry on. She stands, the penultimate expression and embodiment of Anglo Tradition. Sure, lots of haters out there, but, damn right, she has MORE admirers. I certainly RESPECT her. She is, and has been, a very good, living and breathing, Queen, devoted to the land of her birth, and 'her' people. - Thank you Your Majesty.

To mark the occasion of her 90th Birthday, I have resurrected an older painting, done in 2009 - 'Paparazzi'.  (I mean, SERIOUSLY, poor woman & her family are hounded 24/7.  It's no small wonder they get a bit 'curt at times.) Global INTEREST in this REAL 'Royal Family' is insatiable.

Long Live the Queen!

Paparazzi by MLHolton (2009) - Oil on Board. Contact artist for size & price.